Since the Mists of Dawn: A Tauren Guide

[Beltharean]

Table of Contents:

Spoiler:

Vision Quests and the Rite of Passage
-The Vision Quest-
-The Rite of Passage-
-Totem Animals-


Tauren Legends
-Mists of Dawn-
-Sorrow of the Earth Mother-
-The White Stag and the Moon-
-The Forestlord and the First Druids-
-The Centaur's Folly-
-Hatred of the Centaur-
-The Earth Mother's Gift-
-Osak and the White Kodo-


Tauren Festivities
-At the Party:-
-Food-
-Dancing-
-Drums-
-The Holidays:-
-Dance of the Earth Mother-
-Renewal of the Sun-
-Kodo Drum Circle-
-The Kodo Run-
-Other Possible Celebrations-


Tauren Customs and Culture

PROTIP: They're clickable!

.

• The Vision Quest •

The vision quest represents a tribe member's passage from one stage to another, such as from youth to maturity or from maiden to mother. Shaman typically undergo several vision quests throughout their careers, each one unlocking hidden knowledge within their souls.

To venture on a vision quest, the seeker leaves her tribe behind and finds a natural area that feels quiet and sacred to her. The seeker leaves all trappings of civilization behind, including weapons and clothes, taking only a waterskin with her. The tribe's shaman provides the vision speaker with a bundle of herbs to eat in the sacred area. These herbs facilitate the vision quest. Only a trained shaman may set a seeker on her vision quest.

A vision quest lasts 2–4 days. Traditionally, the quest begins with a powerful urge to leave the sacred area. The seeker must resist this temptation and remain in the place she chose. Most seekers remind themselves of the sacred task they perform and soothe themselves with knowledge that they can survive a few days alone.

Once the urge to leave passes, the seeker feels a sense of buoyancy. She seems to float out of her body and see the land spread out beneath her. She examines her body and, in doing so, comes to understand her soul. Each physical feature reminds the vision seeker of past experiences, her ancestors or her race. She meditates on these things until she feels at peace with herself.

At the apex of the vision quest, a spirit animal comes to the seeker. The animal represents the seeker's spirit; fierce warriors may see a bear, while timid herbalists may see a rabbit. The seeker feels an instant bond with the animal. In rare cases, the spirit animal may lead the seeker away from the sacred area to a place of great power.

This sometimes happens to seekers who later become shaman. In the place of power, the seeker undergoes an additional test, such as a test of combat against a wild animal or a test of skill where she must heal a wounded creature or retrieve an object from a dangerous natural location.

Upon completing her vision quest, a seeker usually takes some small item from the sacred area, such as a rock or a bit of animal fur, and keeps it as a reminder of her quest. A seeker who fails to complete her test may try again when she and her shaman feel ready.

• The Rite of Passage •

As the transition from child to adult begins, a tauren must take a vision quest to complete the shift, as with many major factors in their life. At this point, the animal seen on the vision quest can greatly effect the life of the tauren. On a vision quest, one finds their 'spirit animal,' or a physical representation of themselves in animal form. Not only does this animal help guide one through the rest of the person's vision quest, but also reveals something deep within the person. Someone's spirit animal may change throughout their life, as one is ever changing, like the water in a stream.

• The Totem Animals •

Spoiler:

Totem Animal: Bat




Element: Air
Symbol: Bat
Fetish: Bat wing, bat fur
Place of Power: The night
Gender: Male or female

Positive Spirit:

Though often regarded with fear, Bat is a powerful totem for change. Those who know Bat well see it as a challenge to oneself, for Bat forces us to examine our own inner fears. Those under the influence of Bat have minimal fear of the night, of darkness, and have often mastered their own hidden fears. Having done so, they challenge others to do the same.

Bat has an extraordinary sense of direction and the ability to maneuver through dangerous situations without harm. Bat can often avoid dangers before others are aware of the threat. Those who fly with Bat have excellent night vision and make dangerous night hunters and raiders.

Bat is also a very social creature. Those who are influenced by Bat love the company of their own kind and though a superior scout and hunter, Bat does not stay away for long from the comfort of its brothers.

Negative Spirit:

Having mastered their inner fears, those influenced by Bat must be careful not to be foolhardy. There are some things one should have a healthy respect for, even if you do not fear it.


Totem Animal: Bear




Element: Earth
Symbol: Paw
Fetish: Fang
Place of Power: Cave
Gender: Male or female

Positive Spirit:

In his habit of hibernation, Bear is closely associated with sleep and is the keeper of dreamtime. Many seers and dream interpreters pay homage to Bear. The Tauren that likes to sleep may be touched heavily by Bear. But in this contact with his dream-self, Bear is also very introspective.

Though lazy and plodding at first glance, bear is a deep thinker. Bear does not make hasty judgments but rather weighs all sides of an issue before reaching a decision. For this reason, many inventors and scholars are influenced by Bear.

Bear also has a great love for home. Those who live under his influence enjoy good food, comfort, and the opportunity to relax. Yet, when in the wild and denied such comforts, Bear adapts well, finding the basic necessities easily.

Finally, Bear can be a fierce warrior, especially when protecting his home and children. Though often slow moving, Bear and those living under his influence can strike with deadly speed and unmatched power when provoked.

Negative Spirit:

Bear's slow pace can sometimes give way to procrastination and laziness if not motivated. However, the most dangerous Bear individuals are those who develop a taste for Bear's wrath when angered. Often, war hungry Tauren are those who have become too comfortable with the power of Bear's anger and enjoy the fear it can elicit in others.


Totem Animal: Boar




Element: Earth
Symbol: Boar head, tusks
Fetish: Tusk
Place of Power: Shaded areas
Gender: Traditionally male

Positive Spirit:

Boars are hardy, strong, tireless when aroused to action, and stubborn. When set on a task that he desires finished, especially if rewards await him at its completion, Boar will strive relentlessly until the task is completed.

Boars are very territorial, protective of their young, and easily aroused to anger. A Boar will not tolerate a slight to his person or his tribe. Though Boars may be pig-headed and proud, he does remind the tribe not to become complacent or submissive.

Though often shortsighted, Boar has a keen nose, both physically and spiritually. Boar is difficult to surprise, those under his influence are relentless trackers, and often have a nose for deception and evil. "I know evil in my nose" is a saying attributed to Boar.

Though not known for their intelligence, those who walk with Boar are much brighter than many would give them credit for being. Boar has a practical, down-to-earth wisdom. Boar is pragmatic and often shuns idealistic views. Those Tauren who follow the ways of Boar are attracted to the familiar, the certain, and the traditional.

Negative Spirit:

Boars must be cautious that opportunity is not missed due to hotheadedness. Boars can be too often distrustful and abrasive. It is far too easy for Boars to be ruled by their tempers.


Totem Animal: Deer




Element: Earth
Symbol: Hoof
Fetish: Piece of hide
Place of Power: Woods or glades
Gender: Traditionally female

Positive Spirit:

Deer carries the message of purity of purpose. Deer knows her work and carries it out without need for recognition or accolade. Deer is often unswerving in achieving a goal. However, unlike Boar's tenacity fueled by temper, Deer simply does what she knows she must.

Deer is gentle and kind. Those influenced by Deer cannot knowingly cause harm to another. Deer carries no shadow, no illusions or ulterior motives. Deer is honest and trustworthy, genuine and caring. Healers and caregivers are often touched by deer. It is often the gentle touch of Deer that best cares for the children of the tribe.

Negative Spirit:

Deer must take care not to be too trusting. Having no deceptions of her own, it can be difficult for deer to believe the malice that others may bear her or the tribe.


Totem Animal: Eagle




Element: Air
Symbol: Feather, talon
Fetish: Feather
Place of Power: A high peak
Gender: Traditionally male

Positive Spirit:

The mightiest of the bird totems, Eagle symbolizes strength, speed, and unswerving clarity of purpose. Eagle is gifted with clear vision, to see both far into the future and through any illusion. Eagles see the whole picture from their lofty perch while capturing every detail of an issue with their keen perception. Many great Tauren chiefs were strongly influenced by Eagle.

For all its strength, Eagle is a patient hunter, conserving his energy for the right moment. Though greatest of the birds of prey, Eagle is not boastful or raucous. Eagle actually has a weak voice and chooses the best time to add his voice to a discussion.

Perhaps strongest of the masculine air spirits, Eagle demonstrates the heights to which Tauren may climb. Eagle often quietly sets the standards that others follow. Eagle challenges us to strive for more, for greater, for better, but without need for fanfare and recognition.

With its feathers often used in ceremony, Eagle embodies the ability for the earthborn to reach the heavens, for the physical to touch the spiritual. If you strive to better know your own spirit, find one who flies with Eagle as a guide.

Negative Spirit:

Eagle's greatest flaw is not his own, but those of others. Some will envy Eagle for his abilities and the heights to which he soars. Lesser birds are often seen harassing Eagle, jealous of his stature and position. Eagle must be careful not to become jaded by the actions of lesser Tauren.


Totem Animal: Gazelle




Element: Earth
Symbol: Hoof, antler
FetishFetish: Piece of hide
Place of Power: Open plains
Gender: Traditionally female

Positive Spirit:

Gazelle is the consummate runner. Few can match both her speed and her agility. Gazelle teaches the benefit of knowing when to abandon a lost cause, how to run today so as to fight a better battle tomorrow, and that a swift change in course can save the day. Gazelle is not as impulsive as she might seem, but she certainly does not allow herself to become bogged down with indecision. Her energetic personality and lightheartedness often makes her a welcome addition to any hunt.

Gazelle is a group member. She knows the advantage of numbers, the safety of the milling crowd, and the value of teamwork. Though Gazelle appreciates village and home, she often feels safer in the open where danger is more easily spotted and where she has room to move.

Though seldom a warrior, Gazelle does make a fine hunter and gatherer. She excels as scout and messenger. Often shunning flesh for her own meals, those touched by Gazelle make wonderful bakers and even fisherwomen.

Negative Spirit:

Gazelle must be careful of becoming too skittish. Always quick to react to danger, Gazelle must learn not to jump at every shadow or to conclusions.


Totem Animal: Giraffe




Element: Earth and air
Symbol: Spots
Fetish: A piece of hide
Place of Power: Brush land between plains and trees
Gender: Traditionally female

Positive Spirit:

Giraffe symbolizes the union between earth and air, for her feet are firmly planted on the ground while her head reaches the sky. As such, those who walk with Giraffe are often sensitive to weather, its affect on the earth, and are skilled at weather magic.

Gifted with their unique perspective, those influenced by Giraffe are often aware of change and potential danger long before their shorter necked brethren. They often make fine lookouts, though are seldom adventurous enough for true scouts. Giraffe is a wise totem, looking far into the future and is never shortsighted. Giraffe's elevated perspective also makes it a skilled counselor, able to bring a new view to others who may be having difficulty seeing over the next horizon. Giraffe is the totem of friendship and trust. Giraffe makes a wonderful addition to any elder lodge.

A sampler of plants that most others never see or taste, Giraffe has an affinity for herbalism. Giraffe are expert gatherers and often excel at combining their finds into useful potions. Also, their patchwork hide hints at an ability to piece parts of a puzzle together, whether metaphorically or with materials (tailoring, leatherworking, and alchemy). When combining both their skills of counseling and alchemy, those under the sign of Giraffe can be great physical and spiritual healers.


Negative Spirit:

Giraffe must remember that its long neck is a useful tool for the benefit of the tribe rather than a means to look down upon her neighbors. A Giraffe that becomes too lofty must remember that her feet must still touch the ground.


Totem Animal: Hawk




Element: Air
Symbol: Feather
Fetish: Feather
Place of Power: High cliffs
Gender: Male or female

Positive Spirit:

Hawk is the messenger of destiny and enlightenment from the Earthmother. It is Hawk who bears creativity and inspiration. Because of this, those who fly with Hawk are often writers, dancers, musicians, and artists.

Hawk is second only in insight and vision to Owl. But where Owl's vision looks into the mystical, Hawk perceives the truth of the physical. Many scouts and hunters are Hawks, for they can quickly discern the true nature of a threat.

Though protective of their family and excellent providers, Hawks are often loners. Like the solitary bird far overhead, Tauren who are touched by Hawk spend many hours and days in foreign lands, scouting for potential danger and opportunity.

When danger does appear, Hawk wastes no time in attacking. The blinding stoop of Hawk into battle often scatters enemies much larger than himself.

Negative Spirit:

Being often alone and of the nature to attack with surprise, if cilantro planning, Hawks must be careful of not becoming overwhelmed. First and fastest is the Hawk's motto, but they often benefit from lessons of patience.


Totem Animal: Kodo




Element: Earth
Symbol: Kodo horns, kodo print
Fetish: Piece of kodo hide, tooth
Place of Power: Open plains
Gender: Male or female

Positive Spirit:

Kodo symbolizes overwhelming strength and endurance. Of all the plains totems, none represents power and simple nobility like Kodo. Those under this totem tend to be the largest of their tribe, strong, robust, and tireless if not the most fleet of hoof. Kodo is the indomitable will that cannot be turned from an objective. Headstrong at times, those influenced by Kodo are seldom easily angered by adversity, but rather push onward until the goal is attained.

Kodo also embodies the utilization of all parts, for the survival of the Tauren has often depended on using every part of this, greatest of plains beasts. Those influenced by Kodo are conservative, practical, thrifty and resourceful. Kodo gets the most out of every resource and is never wasteful. Craftsmen, especially those of the more masculine crafts (mining, smithing, and skinning), are often Kodo bending their great strength and resourcefulness to a particular profession.

Kodo is patience with action, for though not swift in their movements, Kodo like to keep moving. Imbued with boundless energy, Kodo seldom lounge. Kodo are often deeper thinkers than they are given credit for, though they may take a long while before reaching a decision. Do not assume a Kodo is not deep in thought simply because he does not share those thoughts quickly. He is likely still thoroughly chewing over the matter. Once sure of a course of action, there is nothing that will sway a Kodo from his path. And Kodo possess long memories, seldom forgetting an action of others, whether good or bad.

Though Kodo's great strength and endurance can make them formidable warriors, charging with overwhelming furry when finally moved to anger, Kodo are strongly tied to the earth and earth magic. Shaman, especially those specializing in earth magic, are often greatly influenced by the spirit of Kodo.

Negative Spirit:

Kodo should be mindful of becoming too headstrong and determined. Some Kodo can develop tunnel vision, heedless of possible danger along the way or possible repercussions of their actions.


Totem Animal: Lion




Element: Fire
Symbol: Maned head, paw
Fetish: Claw
Place of Power: Plains
Gender: Male or female

Positive Spirit:

Though a strong warrior and patient stalker like Tiger, Lion is not a loner. Lion enjoys the comfort of family and friends. The Tauren who follows Lion would much rather live, play, and hunt with a group.

The male and female aspect of Lion are strikingly different. Females are energetic and often overachievers. It is the female who tends the young, makes the home, and is the more prolific hunter. Female Lions are the epitome of teamwork. Male Lions are often the low key, unconcerned, master of their domain. They regularly view themselves as being above mundane tasks and are more than willing to allow the female to serve their needs. It is when the male is aroused to anger, most often when his territory or family is threatened, that he displays his full power and ferocity.

Both genders display patience and the ability to use opportunity to their advantage. Lions do not rush that which is important, but when the time to strike arrives, they do not hesitate to act.

Though earthy in many aspects of behavior, Lion is most closely related to the sun, thus its connection with fire. Like a fire, started slowly by a spark and building to a consuming blaze, so too with Lion.

Negative Spirit:

Males must guard against becoming too complacent and even lazy. Females must be mindful of the opposite, for female Lions may attempt to take on too much responsibility.


Totem Animal: Owl




Element: Air and spirit
Symbol: Moon
Fetish: Feather
Place of Power: Forest
Gender: Traditionally female

Positive Spirit:

Owl is an ancient totem reaching back to the days when Tauren territory reached all the way to Ashenvale. Though seldom seen in their current lands, Owl is a powerful and respected totem.

As the guide of souls to the afterlife, the Owl is closely attuned to the spirit world. Owl has a piercing gaze and can see through deception and illusion, even through the veil between the physical and mystical. Owls often are gifted with intuition and strong instinct. Many Owls are psychics, mediums, and clairvoyants.

Closely linked to ancestors, those under the influence of Owl are often the keepers of history. Owls make wonderful teachers, scholars, and medicine juices.

Those who fly with Owl are often more comfortable at night than under the sun. They are silent hunters and defend their homes with skill. The moon holds great sway over Owl and its monthly cycles, like those of the female herself, strongly influence the mood of the Tauren dominated by this symbol.

Negative Spirit:

Owls can often seem aloof or detached from the tribe. Their silence can be mistaken for unsociability. Finally, their night-owl habits may place them out of the normal rhythms of the tribe. Owls need to work to keep from becoming isolated by their own habits.


Totem Animal: Panther




Element: Earth and arcane
Symbol: Paw
Fetish: Claw
Place of Power: Forest
Gender: Male or female

Positive Spirit:

Though seldom seen by Tauren in their present homeland, Panther was once a revered totem animal when the Tauren range ran all the way to Ashenvale.

Like all the cat totems, Panther has a powerful gaze and can see into the shadows, both physical and spiritual, to see the real matter at hand. Panther is a night hunter and those who stalk with it are often more comfortable under the light of the moon and make deadly night raiders. Walking the path between the Tiger and the Lion, Panther is seldom solitary, though preferring the company of one or at most, small groups. However, the bond between two panthers rivals or surpasses that of a Plainstrider matching. Several Panthers working in tandem is a most deadly adversary.

Panther is the consummate stalker. Its ability to remain unseen during the hunt strides the boundary between the physical and spiritual, for Panther is a stealther, not simply a hider. Panther also represents the shape-shifter and the ability to release the fullness of one's totem, to be complete with one's inner beast and unlock it without losing oneself to it completely.

Those who fall under Panther's sway are subtle in their actions, giving away no secrets and deftly lull their enemies into a false sense of security. Panther is soft spoken, graceful, and often mysterious. Panther combines problem solving and plotting with lightning reactions. Panther knows how to keep others off balance.

Negative Spirit:

Panther's greatest challenge is not to be too foreign. Being an older, often forgotten totem, those influenced by panther may be misunderstood for their unfamiliar habits and mysterious demeanor. The cat's use by Night Elves has caused some tribes to shun the use of Panther as a totem. And Panther must be careful not to make tribal members feel as if they are being stalked.


Totem Animal: Plainstrider




Element: Earth
Symbol: Foot
Fetish: Feather
Place of Power: Open plains
Gender: Male or female

Positive Spirit:

Plainstrider represents the traveler, the unbound runner, the wanderer. Plainstrider is often a messenger, a scout, and most often an explorer. Plainstrider travels for the love of traveling, even if nothing new is discovered. Thus, often a loner, Plainstrider bears none of the negative connotations of that lifestyle. Plainstrider does not feel removed from others, unsociable, or moody. Rather, he is just too busy enjoying the trip to notice how far he has traveled from home. Because of this footloose spirit, Plainstriders seldom take a mate unless they too are touched by Plainstrider. In such cases, they can represent one of the strongest of all totem pairings.

Though not one of the stronger warrior totems, Plainstrider can defend itself with skill when necessary. Given Plainstrider's wanderlust, those who ply the gathering professions are often Plainstrider, especially herbalists. Unlike the equally wandering Zhevra, Plainstrider seldom sets out with discovery in mind, but rather stumbles on the unexpected, though he takes equal delight in its finding.

Being the only flightless bird totem among so many fliers, Plainstrider also embodies adaptation and originality. On one hand, Plainstrider challenges you to find a way of making due without those things you might think irreplaceable. Plainstrider Tauren excel at problem solving and making the best of adversity. At the same time, Plainstrider revels in being different from the crowd. Being the flightless among those who soar, Plainstrider replies with blazing trails into areas that his winged brothers do not travel.

Negative Spirit:

Plainstrider faces the same challenges that all wander-lust totems face; becoming too separated from their own people and strangers in their own tribe.


Totem Animal: Rabbit




Element: Earth
Symbol: Rabbit
Fetish: Rabbit foot
Place of Power: A sheltered area (a place of hiding and security)
Gender: Traditionally female

Positive Spirit:

Though often thought of as cowardly, Rabbit teaches the lesson of survival. Preyed on by nearly every neighbor, Rabbit teaches us how to endure with every tool at our disposal.

Those touched by Rabbit have keen senses of hearing and sight. They have an acute sense of danger and even precognition. Often Rabbit perceives an ambush before it is sprung. Likewise, Rabbit has a knack for knowing when to hide and when to run, for knowing when to freeze and when to dart in a completely unexpected direction and catch an opponent off guard. Sometimes viewed as unpredictable or spontaneous, those who know Rabbit better see an ability to react quickly and make the most of their enemy's confusion.

Rabbits are also extremely adaptable. Rabbit's fur, coloring, shape and extremities, as well as its diet, adapt to its conditions. Likewise, those touched by Rabbit are not slaves to convention or tradition, though their curiosity moves from a place of safety rather than bold adventure. Rabbit individuals perceive coming change and have the open and flexible mind to adapt accordingly.

Finally, Rabbit symbolizes fertility, for another way to survive when all seem bent on your destruction is to procreate. Rabbits often have many children and teach them well and quickly how to survive best in a potentially harsh world.

Negative Spirit:

Often the totem of females, Rabbit can tend to be fearful individuals. The perceived safety of hiding can become some Rabbit's only defense to the world and they can become overcautious and submissive.


Totem Animal: Raptor




Element: Fire
Symbol: Raptor head, claw marks
Fetish: Tooth
Place of Power: Open plains
Gender: Traditionally male with some very strong females

Positive Spirit:

There is no mistaking the influence of Raptor or the path those influenced by Raptor follow: hunter and warrior. Raptor lives for the chase and the kill. Raptor represents the fiery spirit of the hunt and of war. Where other hunting totems often act with patience and stealth, Raptor, though a skilled tracker, is impatient to reach its prey and revels in the actual battle.

Raptor symbolizes strength and speed combined. Those influenced by Raptor are ferocious in battle, near berserker in their frenzy, and instill fear in their enemies. Raptor has keen sense of both sight and smell and once an enemy is known, it is never forgotten. Raptor is merciless in his desire for revenge.

Raptors are often impatient, run when they could walk, exhibit fiery personalities, and attack even mundane labors. However, their impatience often makes them poor craftsmen and leaders. Yet, a wise war chief has several Raptors in his raiding party, just waiting to unleash them upon the enemy.

Negative Spirit:

As expected, Raptor must be careful not to rush headlong into insurmountable odds. Those influenced by Raptor can also be abrasive, rude in their impatience, and quick to anger. There is no doubt they are greatly prized in time of war, but they may find themselves ostracized by their family during peace.


Totem Animal: Raven




Element: Air
Symbol: Raven, cook feather
Fetish: Feather
Place of Power: A sheltered look-out
Gender: Male or female

Positive Spirit:

Raven is the messenger and carrier of gifts and knowledge between the worlds of the mystical and the physical. Raven symbolizes changes in awareness, in consciousness, and perception. Those touched by Raven are often attuned to magic and the spiritual.

Raven is also the shape-shifter, both literally (shaman and druids) and metaphorically. Those who walk with Raven are often skilled healers (both physical and spiritual) and counselors, for they can become their patients, thus feeling their ailment or inner struggle and use that empathy to better cure and advise. Those who fly with Raven are able to put themselves in the another's shoes, know their minds, and by knowing them, alter them. It is a wise chief who has a Raven in his war council, for Raven knows the mind of the enemy.

Negative Spirit:

Those touched by Raven must be careful not to be too drawn in by the secrets and power of the mystical. A curiosity for knowledge can often lead to a desire for power. The Raven's ability to know another's mind can lean to manipulation and domination. Raven must be mindful of the allure of new knowledge as well. Evil often recruits with the promise of untold secrets and the promise of power. It was unsuspecting Raven who first were corrupted by the dark whispering beneath the earth in the Dawning of the Shu'halo.


Totem Animal: Spider




Element: Arcane
Symbol: Spider, web
Fetish: Spider leg, spider silk, fang
Place of Power: None
Gender: Male and female

Positive Spirit:

Often misunderstood and feared, spider is a powerful totem with strong mystical influence. Both spider's body and web symbolize unity. Both begin from a centered point, a place of stability and inner focus, then radiate out in all directions. spider symbolizes that from balance and centeredness, one can reach out confidently to all levels of awareness (physical and spiritual), all explorations, and do so with strength and stability. Its web symbolizes both the individual and the world; existing at the center, each is surrounded by many forces, many paths and choices, often unseen and dangerous, mysterious and maze-like, but if studied well, understood and even traversed with skill. Those under the spider often have a well developed sixth sense and are in tune with the unseen forces of the world that radiate like its web all around.

spider, in its varied forms, also teaches adaptability. Many are consummate craftsman, toiling tirelessly to create beauty. Those touched by this aspect of spider tend to be homemakers and caregivers, often staying close to the village. Such spiders keep a meticulous home, always have something good to eat, and keep plenty stored for harder days.

Those influenced by the roaming aspect of spider take on the qualities of the hunter. They excel in stalking and surprise. They masterfully lay traps and ambush, and are both patient in the hunt and explosive in their attack.

Finally, from poison comes antidote. Many attracted to spider are drawn to the healing arts, especially the curing of poisons, for who knows venom better than the spider?

Negative Spirit:

spider must be careful not of their own failings, but of the misunderstanding of others about them. Those who walk with spider are often more withdrawn and quiet, watchful and at times unemotional. They can be viewed as uncaring, cold, and plotting.


Totem Animal: Stag




Element: Earth
Symbol: Antlers
Fetish: Piece of hide
Place of Power: Forest
Gender: Male

Positive Spirit:

Stag is another of the more ancient totems, originating from the times when Tauren roamed as far as Ashenvale. Though seldom seen so far south as the Tauren's current homelands, its nobility and strength keep Stag within the circle of totem animals.

Stag represents strength with speed, stamina, and nobility. Stags are patient and well paced. They do not tire easily nor lose patience with a task. The Stag knows how to pace himself for the long trek.

Stag are natural leaders, for they both set the example and work well with others. Those touched by the Stag appreciate family and encourage cooperation. Though they are often the cause of success, a true Stag can allow others to take credit as well.

As protector of the herd, Stag are also warriors. Though not aggressive by nature, the Stag will fight fiercely to protect his tribe. A Stag's honor and bravery often earn him the respect of his enemies.

Stag is closely tied to the seasons. Those touched by Stag are hardy and resourceful in times of seasonal hardship and are quickly revitalized when good living returns. Like their animal counterparts, Tauren who walk with Stag are strongly affected by the allure of females and Stags are often very handsome and virile. As in rutting season, Stag is protective of his mate(s) and often attracts the attention of females other than his wife. Though Stags greatly enjoy the companionship of other males, they will not tolerate competition when it comes to love.

Negative Spirit:

Especially in the matter of females, Stag can become rather arrogant and conceited. In Stag's mind, when it comes to procreation, there should be only one leader of the heard.


Totem Animal: Swoop




Element: Air
Symbol: Talon, feather
Fetish: Feather
Place of Power: Open plains
Gender: Male or female

Positive Spirit:

Though bearing some of the basic traits of the other bird totems, Swoop is a wily opportunist rather than a bold warrior. Swoop will work with guile and patience to find the best time to strike, to get the most from a situation, and remain elusive until that time comes. Swoop is not proud but rather looks at the end result. Swoop knows he is not as fast as Hawk or as powerful as Eagle. But if carrion is all that is available, Swoop will eat enough to survive where Hawk and Eagle may starve with their pride. Swoop will endure until a better hunting day.

Those under the Swoop are often cunning, mentally agile, and act when opportunity presents itself. Often misjudged as underhanded or at least less forthright than other animals, Swoop simply knows how to get the most out of a situation, to make the best of what is presented, and to plan for the next opportunity to gain as much as he can. Swoop learns quickly from life's lessons and deftly applies that knowledge to new situations.

Do not underestimate Swoop in battle. When he determines the time to strike is at hand, it is done with speed and strength. The flurried attack of Swoop is often unexpected, underestimated, and catches those who expected less off guard.

Negative Spirit:

What makes Swoop successful can also be its greatest challenge among its own people. The cunning and guile that defeats enemies can become worrisome within a Swoop's tribe as members question whether they too are being duped. Swoop can become too dependent on his ability to get out of work or using a quick tongue to avoid responsibility.


Totem Animal: Thunderhawk




Element: Air and arcane
Symbol: Lightning
Fetish: Piece of hide
Place of Power: Open plains or high bluffs, especially during storms
Gender: Male or female

Positive Spirit:

One of the most mystically charged of the totem animals, Thunderhawk symbolizes the bond between the heavens and the mystic world. More mystical in appearance than any of the other totems, Thunderhawk has an air of otherworldliness. Likewise, those influenced by Thunderhawk often seem different, more detached from the physical and attuned to the spirit world. Thunderhawks are skilled prophets, seers, mystics, and mediums. Some of the Tauren's most fabled Shaman and Druids were heavily influenced by Thunderhawk.

For all this spirituality, Thunderhawk can also be an aggressive totem. When threatened, those under this totem have both a physical and arcane arsenal at their disposal. Even warriors touched by the Thunderhawk seem more apt to wield weapons of mystic power and battle with an insightfulness that stems from their spiritual centeredness.

Those who fly with Thunderhawk are greatly interested in knowledge. These Tauren understand that knowledge is power. They will often be found questing for mystical treasures or assigning such chores to those in their care.

Negative Spirit:

Like Owl, those under the influence of Thunderhawk must be careful that their seemingly different ways do not alienate them from their own tribe. Also, with a desire for knowledge and arcane power comes the snare of greed. Like Raven, many of the Tauren first corrupted by the dark whisperings beneath the earth at the dawning of the world were likely Thunderhawks tempted by promises of knowledge.


Totem Animal: Thunderlizard




Element: Earth and air
Place of Power: Plains
Symbol: Horn with lightning
Fetish: Scale, horn, especially during a storm
Gender: Traditionally male

Positive Spirit:

The most bombastic of the totems, Thunderlizard is loud, boisterous, booming and anything but subtle. Often boastful, Thunderlizard has the sheer size, strength and energy to back up his claims. Those who fall under this totem have strong, sometimes overwhelming personalities, are hardheaded, opinionated, and quick to anger. Certainly they do not understand how they might offend their tribe members, because they are, of course, always right.

Though they are closely tied to the powers of air, it is a union with cilantro control. Unlike Giraffe, Thunderlizard seems unaware of the power he could wield from the heavenly forces to which he is tied. There is no finesse to Thunderlizard's manipulation of these forces. Rather, much like his personality, his power is limited to thunderous attack after thunderous attack. One of Thunderlizard's lessons is that of missed opportunity. Thus, those influenced by Thunderlizard are seldom Shaman or Druids, lacking the patience necessary to study either art. Thunderlizards are nearly always warriors.

If kept on a short leash, Thunderlizard is a valued member of any war party. His relentless attack can quickly demoralize an enemy. But a wise war chief keeps Thunderlizard in the rear until the battle has begun. If allowed to lead, every chance for surprise would be lost.

Negative spirit:

Thunderlizards seldom have the patience for crafting. Those that do, inevitably lean to mining and smithing so as to add to their might in battle. At home, Thunderlizards are often irritable and unable to sit for long. Like the lighting caged within, the Thunderlizard needs to vent his energy frequently.


Totem Animal: Tiger




Element: Water
Symbol: Paw, stripes
Fetish: Claw
Place of Power: Tall grass, often by water
Gender: Though traditionally male, strong females have been touched by Tiger

Positive Spirit:

Unlike Lion, Tiger is a solitary spirit. Except for mating, even the two gender have cilantro to do with one another. Tiger is a strong, independent, loner though he is often a good teacher of his skills.

A true warrior totem, Tiger is a stalker. He does not waste energy in the hunt and will ambush with ferocity when the opportunity is at hand, and he always uses the terrain to his advantage. Once the battle begins, Tiger is an unstoppable force.

Similarly in personality, Tiger is often quiet and watchful. Tiger's gaze cuts through deception and illusion and sees the truth of a matter or individual. Those touched by Tiger often have unwavering gazes and their stare can make others uncomfortable.

Unlike other cats, Tiger is at home in water, often using water as a trap. Likewise, Tauren who walk with Tiger enjoy the water, unlike most of their brethren.

Finally, Tiger is a night hunter. Those influenced by him enjoy the night, hunt unhindered under the moon, and are strongly affected by its phases.

Negative Spirit:

As with Wolf, Tiger's must be careful of becoming too separate from the tribe. Though their spirit is a solitary one, they must not lose sight of the benefits that the tribe can offer or the value of their own skills for the tribe's prosperity.


Totem Animal: Turtle




Element: Water and arcane
Symbol: Shell
Fetish: Shell or scale
Place of Power: One's home
Gender: Given its closeness to the Earthmother, traditionally female, though some male
Shaman are touched by Turtle

Positive Spirit:

Turtle symbolizes both the grounding spirit of water and the magic of the mystical. To know Turtle is to know balance and harmony. Because of their peaceful nature rooted in balance and harmony, those influenced by turtle are nurturing, caring Tauren. Turtle is protective yet unagressive in nature.

Turtles are calm, never quick to judge or hasty in their decisions. The pace of Turtle is one that measures time. Turtle is never rushed, for he is also the symbol of longevity. If a thing is worth doing, the time to do it right is well spent. Turtle is a deep thinker, a thorough planner, and a meticulous investigator.

Finally, those who walk the slow and steady path of Turtle do so with the heightened senses of one attuned to possible danger. Turtle is very sensitive to vibration, both physical and spiritual. And when threatened, Turtle will always have a stalwart defense prepared. When war chiefs go off to battle, it is Turtle they confidently leave to defend the village.

Negative Spirit:

Turtle can become too prolonged in their consideration of a problem. There are times that call for swift decisions. Also, some Turtles may become paranoid and kosher in the degree to which they worry over preparations, both for mundane planning and possible danger.


Totem Animal: Wolf




Element: Earth
Symbol: Howling wolf, wolf head with moon
Fetish: Fang
Place of Power: A place open to the sky at night with a visible moon
Gender: Male or female

Positive Spirit:

Wolf is fiercely loyal and protective of his family and tribe, his principles and beliefs, and his territory. A wolf influenced Tauren does not entertain ideas of encroachment by outsiders, either physically or in custom. Wolf is a traditionalist. Tradition maintains the integrity of the pack and the tribe.

Wolf is very mindful of tribal structure. Young are taught their place well so that they may assume their proper role in the tribe and lead others when their time comes. A Wolf influenced tribe has clear social boundaries and structure. In his role as social organizer, Wolf is an excellent judge of character and potential, a masterful observer, and an expert teacher. It is no surprise that wolf spirits are often guides to spiritual enlightenment.

Wolf is also a warrior, but he excels in group combat. Wolf knows how to utilize the advantage of teamwork and does not needlessly enter into single contests, especially against outsiders. To the Wolf, honor and prestige in battle is best when shared with the tribe.

Finally, wolf is an adventurer, with a strong wandering spirit and inquisitive mind. Those under his influence are often hunters and scouts. For this reason, many Wolves are loners for long periods, but operate as such with the certainty that the tribe endures during their absence and awaits their return.

Negative Spirit:

The Wolf must be careful not to be away from the tribe for too long, for the closeness of family maintains Wolf's balance. Such Wolves may become out of touch with the natural changes and adaptations of their tribe and return to find themselves strangers among their own. The most dangerous Wolves are those who become too totalitarian in their view of tradition, inflexible in their adherence to tribal custom, and domineering in their teaching.


Totem Animal: Zhevra




Element: Earth
Symbol: Stripes
Fetish: Tooth
Place of Power: Plains
Gender: Both male and female

Positive Spirit:

The spirit of the Zhevra is freewilled, noble, and adventurous. The Zhevra symbolizes the wanderer. Zhevra are tireless travelers, paying close attention to new discoveries, and returning home with knowledge and treasures from foreign lands.

Though often found in herds, Zhevra tend to be loners. To survive, those touched by Zhevra will have keen senses of sight, smell, and hearing. Their first defense is the great speed at which they can travel across open ground, but Zhevra are not cowardly when cornered. Often underestimated, Zhevra can be formidable opponents.

One of the more exotic totems, Zhevra embodies the unknown and the new. Zhevra Tauren are constantly looking for the unique and unseen. The mosaic of their hide and mystical properties of their horn both hint at hidden surprises, wealth, and discovery. Those who follow the tracks of the Zhevra delight in new things and greatly benefit their tribe by sharing their discoveries. Tribal messengers and ambassadors are often under the sign of the Zhevra.

Negative Spirit:

Zhevra must be careful not to become too obsessed in finding the new and unique. Such desires can lead to foolhardy risks.

Note:
For this post, aside from the 'Vision Quest' and 'Rite of Passage' portions at the top, the totems, and their effects on the tauren are purely speculative. Also, I do not in any way shape or form, claim that this is my work. I've only made it so it was formatted correctly for our forums.

Sources:
Wowwiki
Horde Player's Guide
RPG Book Download
Project Tauren

[Beltharean]

• Tauren Legends •

Being the nomadic society the Tauren are, a common aspect of tribal life is the passing on of ancient stories, myths, and legends. Shaman impart the wisdom of past generations to the youth and the rest of the tribe through detailed recallings of ancient times... These are are but a few of those tales. They are some of the most well known of the tauren's myths, different tribes having their own myths of past heros, the creation of their tribe, etc.

Mists of Dawn

Spoiler:

Before the Age of Memory, the gentle Earthmother breathed upon the golden mists of dawn. Where the amber clouds came to rest, there were endless fields of flowing wheat and barley. This was the basin of her works - the great basket of life and hope.

The Earthmother's eyes shone down upon the lands she had breathed into creation. Her right eye, An'she (the sun), gave warmth and light to the land. Her left eye, Mu'sha (the moon), gave peace and sleep to the stirring creatures of the dawning. Such was the power of her gaze that the Earthmother closed one dreaming eye for every turning of the sky. Thus, her loving gaze turned day into night for the first dawning of the world.

While the right eye shone down upon the golden dawn, the Earthmother's gentle hands spread out across the golden plains. Wherever the shadow of her arms passed, a noble people arose from the rich soil. The Shu'halo (the tauren) arose to give thanks and prayer to their loving mother. There, in the endless fields of dawn, the children of the earth swore themselves to her grace and vowed to bless her name until the final darkening of the world.

Sorrow of the Earthmother

Spoiler:

As the children of the earth roamed the fields of dawn, they harkened to dark whispers from deep beneath the world. The whispers told the children of the arts of war and deceit. Many of the Shu'halo fell under the shadow's sway and embraced the ways of malice and wickedness. They turned upon their pure brethren and left their innocence to drift upon the plains.

The Earthmother, her heart heavy with her children's plight, could not bear to watch them fall from grace. In her grief, she tore out her eyes and set them spinning accross the endless, starry skies. An'she and Mu'sha, seeking to ease the other's sorrow, could only chase each other's faint glow across the sky. The twins still chase one another with every turning of the world.

Though sightless, the Earthmother could not long stray from the world of her heart. She kept her ear to the winds and listened to all that transpired across the fields of the dawn. Her great heart was always with her children - and her loving wisdom never fled from them.

The White Stag and the Moon

Spoiler:

Into the brave hearts of her pure children, the Earthmother placed the love of the hunt. For the creatures of the first dawn were saveage and fierce. They hid from the Earthmother, finding solace in the shadows and the wild places of the land. The Shu'halo hunted these beasts wherever they could be found and tamed them with the Earthmother's blessing.

One great spirit eluded them, however. Apa'ro was a proud stag of snow white fur. His antlers scraped the roof of the heavens and his mighty hooves stamped out the deep places of the world. The Shu'halo hunted Apa'ro to the corners of the dawning world - and closed in to snare the proud stag.

Seeking to escape, the great stag leapt into the sky. Yet, as his escape seemed assured, his mighty antlers tangled in the stars which held him fast. Though he kicked and struggled, Apa'ro could not loose himself from the heavens. It was then that Mu'sha found him as she chased her brother, An'she, towards the dawn. Mu'sha saw the mighty stag as he struggled and fell in love with him immediately. The clever moon made a bargain with the great stag - she would set him free from the snare of the stars if he would love her and end her loneliness.

Mu'sha loved Apa'ro and conceived a child by him. The child, a demigod some would claim, was born into the shadowed forests of the night. He would be called Cenarius, and walk the starry path between the waking world and the kingdom of the heavens.

The Forestlord and the First Druids

Spoiler:

In time, the child, Cenarius, grew to the stature of his proud father. A brother to both the trees and the stars, the great hunter roamed the far places of the world, singing the harmonious songs of the dawning. All creatures bowed before his grace and beauty - there were none so cunning as the son of the moon and the white stag.
Eventually, Cenarius befriended the Shu'halo and spoke to them of the turning world. The children of the earth knew him as brother and swore to help him care for the fields of life and the favored creatures of their great Earthmother.
Cenarius taught the children of the earth to speak to the trees and plants. The Shu'halo became druids and worked great deeds of magic to nurse the land to health. For many generation the Shu'halo hunted with Cenarius and kept the world safe from the shadows that stirred beneath it.

The Centaur's Folly

Spoiler:

Long ago, before many care to recall, the demigod Cenarius give birth to three offspring; The Centaur, The Dryad, and The Keeper of the Grove. However, one son, the centaur, grew to despise his beautiful siblings, then all the other creatures of the world. In a fit of rage, the centaur challenged his father Cenarius, son of The White Stag, child of Mu'sha. The centaur believed that he was the strongest of the three children, and that Cenarius refused to love him and instead doted on his other children.

Embracing his hatred and savagery, he struck his father in a blind rage trying to force his father to love him above all other creatures. In retort, the god cursed the Centaur, relieving him of his beauty and powers, leaving him only with his hatred and anger. The centaur fled in a rage, and swore a blood feud on all the creatures of the world.

He reserved most of his anger for Cenarius' favored children, and thus the Night Elves drew his ire as well. The tauren too drew his anger, as he was jealous of their strength and power with the world, the same power he lost. His children carry his anger, and destroy everything they touch, bearing their father's hatred of all things in the world.

Hatred of the Centaur

Spoiler:

As the mists of dawn faded and the Age of Memory advanced, the demigod, Cenarius, went his own way through the fields of the world. The Shu'halo were sorrowful at his passing and forgot much of the druidism he had taught them. As the generations passed, they forgot how to speak with the trees and the wilde things of the land. The dark whispers from the deeps of the world drifted up to
their ears once again.

Though the children of the earth closed out the evil whisperings, a terrible curse befell their roaming tribes. Out of the black lands of the west came a horde of murderous creatures - the centaur. Cannibals and ravagers, the centaur fell upon the Shu'halo like a plague. Though the braves and hunters fought with the Earthmother's blessing in
their hearts, the centaur could not be defeated.

The Shu'halo were forced to leave their ancestral holdings behind, and roam the endless plains as nomads forever after. It was held that one day hope would return - and the scattered tribes of the Shu'halo would find a new home under the loving arms
of the Earthmother.

The Earth Mother's Gift

Spoiler:

The kodo are the life of the tauren, and in turn, the tauren's lives are theirs. Long ago, the Shu'halo wandered Kalimdor lost and hungry, and so they called to the Earth Mother for respite. The world was new, just sundered, and the tauren lost everything in the great quakes that followed...

The Earth Mother granted their wishes however, and created the kodo from her own strength and spirit. She came to the tauren, pained from the making, and spoke unto them the following words, “I have heard your pain, and I have felt it too. This world is new, but you shall never be alone. I give you the kodo, and tie you to the great beasts as they are tied to you. The kodo shall be your food, your friends, your shelter, and your power. As long as you respect the kodo, honor the kodo, and love the kodo, it shall always be there for you.”

She then set the kodo to wander the plains, to test the power of the tauren race, and ro prove her love for them. To this day, the tauren still honor and protect the great beasts of the plains. The kodo give them everything they need: Meat, and clothing. Weapons, armor, shelter. Nothing goes to waste; to do so would be to dishonor the Earth Mother's sacrifice. And still they remember the great gift the Mother gave unto them, and offer their thanks in prayer.

Osak and the White Kodo

Spoiler:

In the year when the kodo left the land and the birds had but one egg in their nests, Chief Osak looked at his people and saw how thin they were and how sunken their eyes.

“I must feed my people,” Chief Osak said. “I must bring them through the white season and into spring.”
Chief Osak looked at the food stores and he spoke to the hunters and he knew there was not enough food to bring his people through the white season. Chief Osak walked through the still forest and meditated. He meditated for a long time, but no wisdom came. Finally, he stood, his bones aching. He turned his steps back to the tribe.

As Chief Osak passed through the still forest, he came upon a startling sight: An old kodo with a pure white hide. The kodo glanced at Chief Osak and kept moving through the forest. Enchanted, Chief Osak followed the kodo, and before long they came upon a clearing. In the clearing was a lake of clean, fresh water, with many fish. Deer drank from it. Chief Osak looked a smile toward the white kodo, then returned to his tribe to tell them where to find food and water.

The white kodo is now a symbol of prosperity among the tauren.

Note: The above myths and legends have been taken from in-game sources, or from the Horde Player's Guide.

Sources:
Wowwiki
Horde Player's Guide
RPG Book Download

[Beltharean]

• Tauren Festivities •

Coming together as a tribe is one of the most important facets of Tauren culture. In the words of Brann Bronzebeard, “The tauren celebrate everything with a big festival. They celebrate the change of the seasons. The rising and setting of the sun. When a baby is born. When an old person dies. When there are lots of animals to hunt. Where there's nothing to hunt.” There however, several things that tie all these celebrations together; Food, dancing, drums, and a sense of family. It doesn't matter if two tauren are from different tribes, fur colours, genders, social castes... They're all united under the banner of the Tauren.

• At the party •

With food, family, dancing, and music, a lot can go on at a tauren festival. There are however, general things that occur at nearly every festivity, be it a somber occasion, or joyous.

Food

Spoiler:

The food consists of a massive array of dishes, all in ridiculously large, tribal-sized servings. Roasted meat, dried meat, stewed meat, dried berries, fresh berries, boiled root vegetables, baked root vegetables with oils and herbs, and much much more. To an outsider this large amount of food may seem counter productive to balance, but in the likely case that the Tauren overstock on food rather than letting it waste, they'll celebrate one thing or another.

Dancing

Spoiler:

Tauren love dancing. It's a major part of celebrations, and a favored move in the repertoire of the Tauren's dance moves is the fist pump. There are about sixteen different tribal dances, to show when they're happy, sad, thankful, angry, etc. Dancing is such a large portion of Tauren culture, it's not uncommon for a child to be dancing just weeks after they learn to walk.

Drums

Spoiler:

You can't dance without a beat, and you can't have a beat without music. Tauren craftsmen build these giant drums by creating a sturdy wooden frame, and stretching a thick animal hide over the top. The taught, thick skins require a massive amount of strength to get a good sound out of, but when it's done right, boy. The celebrations get so loud that even if dwarvish cannon fire was sounding out in the area, no one would be able to notice.

• The Holidays •

Dance of the Earth Mother

Spoiler:

This four-part celebration marks the change of the seasons. Performed at the start of spring, summer, fall and winter, the ritual involves burning scented grass and herbs to ease the Earth Mother's transition into her new form. At this time tauren feast on the traditional staples from the previous season; for instance, to usher in spring, tauren consume the last of their winter stores, such as dried meat and preserved vegetables.

Renewal of the Sun

Spoiler:

This ritual, performed at the height of summer, celebrates the continued rising and setting of the sun. Tauren view this ceremony as a celebration of the possibilities of a new day, and use it to motivate them to change over the following year. At the Renewal of the Sun, all tauren dress in shades of red and orange and wear gold or copper jewelry. Corn, carrots and other sun-hued vegetables make up most of the feast.

Kodo Drum Circle

Spoiler:

Despite its name, this festival celebrates the sacrifice all animals made to the tauren tribe over the last year. A drum circle, in which a tauren constantly beats a drum until another tauren takes her place, forms and lasts all of a day and a night. The drumming honors the slain animals and asks the blessing of living animals who will give their lives for the tribe in the coming year. It is a bad omen for the drum circle to break before the end of the festival.

The Kodo Run

Spoiler:

The Kodo Run is an event that happens at least once a year. The day is officially declared by the shaman when they have determined the time is right. A group of Tauren hunters search for a herd of Kodo and then set up and hide behind portable grass blinds. They wait until the herd of kodo are near them and then surprise the herd by various means like lighting a bonfire behind them, jumping up and down from behind their blinds, shaking rattlers, and just plain scaring them so that the herd becomes confounded.

Eventually, the herd is forced to blindly rush in the direction of the cliff. The lead kodo runs right off the cliff, due to kodos having poor eyesight, and falls down below to its demise on the rocks below. The rest of the herd follows the lead kodo to their doom. The Tauren hunters gather the meat and have a week-long ritual of feasting, tanning, and preserving.

Other Possible Celebrations

Spoiler:

The Rite of Passage for a Chief's son

Renewal of the Moon

Being thankful for a large amount of rain

Calling to the spirits for more rain

Honoring a hero of the Tauren people

A celebration centered around a good Kodo Run

And much, much more. The sky is the limit, really

Note: All of the above is from the Horde Player's Guide.

Sources:
Wowwiki
Horde Player's Guide
RPG Book Download

[Beltharean]

• Magic and Faith •

The tauren race possesses a strong tradition of ancestral worship, shamanism, and introspection. For centuries the tauren livedpeaceful lives in balance with nature. They revere the earth as a sacred living thing and strive to maintain harmony with nature. This way of life was forever changed wit the coming of Thrall and the New Horde. The tauren felt a bond between themselves and their new green allies; The orcs cherished honor, strength, racial pride, and their ancestors, just as the tauren did. The orcs had lost their way, but under tauren guidance, they now return to the old ways.

What the tauren failed to realize was that, as they influenced the Horde, the Horde also influenced them. Many of the tauren continue to teach the other members of their alliance the ways of the shaman, while others are more influenced by the orc's path of the honourable warrior. Some, are taken in by the fel corruption many of the orcs succumbed to. Some don't welcome the orcs at all however, but most fall into one of these categories.

• Archetypes •

Spiritual Guides

Spoiler:

Of all the races of Azeroth, the orcs are most like the tauren in philosophy and nature. The jungle trolls also possess a dark history; Thrall'€™s influence convinced them to change their ways, but it is difficult for the trolls to throw off centuries of ritual and find a new way. Many tauren seek to educate their new allies about the benefits of shamanism, and infuse the orcs and trolls with a respect for the land. Spiritual guides work to convert their allies for a number of reasons; While some wish to help the land, others desire more power for the Horde. These tauren feel that controlling the Horde leads to greater control over the land, and a greater ability to influence their allies.

Most tauren fall in this category. Spiritual guides are most often shaman and druid, however, warriors and hunters can be as devout about the Earth Mother as the shamans they have been taught by.

Pathbreakers

Spoiler:

Few tauren feel the lure of arcane power. Years of living in balance with nature developed a strong will in the tauren. The younger tribe members follow the example of their elders without considering why; they do not possess the life experience or grasp of history to understand the importance of their traditions. These impressionable tauren find the stories of their new allies fascinating. They have never before considered a life outside the trube. Restlessness stirs these tauren's hearts, spurring them to learn more about the orcs, jungle trolls, the Forsaken, and even the Burning Legion.

Such desires prove dangerous when a tauren Pathbreaker finds what he seeks. Clever demons sometimes tempt these young ones and lure them away from their tribe. Corrupted tauren gain enormous physical strength and size, and demons often use them to hunt down the tauren's former tribe. Some Pathbreakers who are influenced by demons take warlock levels, however, most are warriors that have become Felsworn.

Traditionalists

Spoiler:

Tauren who consider themselves traditionalists resent the influence of the Horde; And for good reason. Pathbreakers were never present prior to the coming of the orcs, trolls, and undead. While they appreciate the struggles the orcs have faced, these tauren believe the Horde has traveled too far down the path of darkness to ever come back into the light. Furthermore, they believe constant association with the Horde drags the tauren down and could eventually destroy them.

Knowing they are in the minority, traditionalists do not press their elders to leave the Horde. However, these tauren resist forming close relationships with the Horde members and keep to themselves. Traditionalists can be members of any class, but they never assist Horde members unless they have no choice.

• Shamanism •

Outsiders, as well as those new to the Horde, refer to the tauren and orc's spiritual beliefs as “shamanistic,” as if one word encompasses all the nuances and branches of a complex philosophy. In truth, the spiritual path dubbed shamanism that the orcs and tauren follow encompasses many different beliefs. The orcs and tauren hold differing opinions on the value of each belief. The main tenents of shamanism practiced on Azeroth are ancestor worship, animism, and spirit guidance. Here, I will sum the three of these up as best I can.

Ancestor Worship

Spoiler:

Worshiping one's ancestors is more than paying homage. While nearly every race respects their fallen ancestors, and memorialize them in some way, the ancestral worship branch of shamanism believes that their forebears possess powers that their living offspring can channel. An ancestor who was known for his swift speed may be prayed to just before a long voyage, or a distant grandfather who was known for his strength could be asked for his aid just before a battle. As such, a tauren does not merely speak to their ancestors, he uses them as a sort of power source (with their consent of course)

All tauren, no matter what they are in their society, learn rituals and chants designed to connect them to their ancestors. A tauren shaman, however, can call on tribal spirits to infuse him or her with wisdom and strength. Although tauren society is no longer nomadic, their rituals and traditions have been around for aeons, and thus have been heavily influenced by their nomadic style of life. As a nomadic society, the ancestral worshipping tauren could not always visit the graves of the deceased, and as such have gone about paying homage in other means. Many tauren rituals require one to carve wooden figures and then burn these carvings with fragrant grasses and herbs to honor his ancestors. Now that their way of live has turned more sedentary, one would think they would visit the graves of the fallen more often, but many centaur keep the tauren at bay, so that only a mass group could get to a gravesite.

As an aside, tauren prefer to bury their dead, but after the advent of the Scourge and the Forsaken, more tribes are cremating their dead to avoid the possibilities of seeing a loved one forced into undeath.

Tauren Ancestral Carvings

Spoiler:

When a tauren plans a ritual to honor his ancestors, he carves a number of wooden idols to burn during the ritual. Each tauren's choice of carvings reflects his values and history, making each set of carvings highly personalized. However, certain themes repeat over time, and most tauren understand the following symbols. Miniature wooden tauren represent a person's ancestors. Tauren symbolize themselves with a 6-inch kneeling figure to display their reverence for their ancestors. A tauren might not carve every single individual in her lineage, but instead carve representative figures, such as the following.

An elderly male and female represent ancestors who died of old age.

- A pregnant female and a male hunter represent ancestors who died in the prime of life.

- A child and infant represent ancestors who died in childhood and before birth.

- Additional carvings represent the values a tauren's family possesses.

-A tree with a knot of strong roots symbolizes the importance of family, a root system that supports the tauren today.

- Birds, commonly owls or eagles, represent the wisdom passed on from generation to generation.

- Predatory animals, such as lions, indicate the value of physical strength and heredity.

- The kodo, the most sacred animal of all, symbolizes the bond between the tauren and the Earth Mother.

Tauren also use elemental symbols in their rituals.
- Carvings of flames or coals represent energy and combat, and tauren often add these carvings to honor warrior ancestors.

- Water symbolizes spirituality and wisdom; tauren use carvings of still water to honor ancestors noted for their wisdom, and carvings of flowing water to honor shaman.

- Earth symbolizes a love of the land and physical strength, and tauren add earth carvings to rituals honoring druids and powerful hunters.

-Air carvings, often shown as clouds, wavy lines, or blowing leaves, represent exploration and adaptability, and tauren use air carvings to honor hunters, scouts and children.

Animism

Spoiler:

Animism teaches that all creatures and some objects have souls or spirits. Orcs and tauren believe that plant-spirits, nature-spirits, and earth-spirits, exist and that everyone must treat these spirits with respect. One who denies the reality of nature spirits severs her connection with the earth. She becomes lost and confused, spiritually adrift in the world. The tauren view the Alliance in several different ways: Some sneer at the Alliance, some pity them, and others care nothing for this dichotomy.

The tauren practice animism by revering a spirit they call the Earth Mother. The Earth Mother represents all the animistic forces of nature. River-spirits, sea-spirits, tree-spirits, rock-spirits, and animal spirits all reflect one facet of the Earth Mother.

The Earth Mother

Spoiler:

The Earth Mother is the tauren ideal of all the spirits of nature. The Earth Mother lives in the rivers, trees, plains and mountains of Azeroth. She is the embodiment of nature. All lesser nature spirits come from the Earth Mother, and return to her upon death. In a sense, tauren see the Earth Mother as a sort of universal consciousness. While individual spirits represent a particular location, animal or object, such as the spirit of a single tree, or the spirit of a valley, the Earth Mother represents the land. She is everywhere life and nature is.

The only spirits separate from the Earth Mother are the spirits of sentient creatures. Tauren ancestor spirits live in harmony with the Earth Mother, but are not a part of her. Tauren religion teaches to respect and love the Earth Mother by treating her body, the land, and her children, the plants and animals of the world, with respect. Tauren disrupt the natural balance of the land as little as possible. They take only what they need from the land and eschew mass logging and mining. They respect the animals they hunt and never wastefully discard animal carcasses.

Spirit Guidance

Spoiler:

Spirit Guidance is not a philosophical branch of shamanism so much as it is a technique used by those who practice ancestor worship and animism. The tauren in particular utilize spirit guidance, both in their everyday lives and in times of upheaval. Members of a shamanistic tribe can learn to call on the power of their ancestors and nature to grant them strength and knowledge. Some powerful shaman learn to communicate directly with ancestral spirits, but most are born with the touch. These individuals channel tribal spirits frequently and sometimes unwillingly. They struggle to interpret the words of the ancients and serve as a bridge between the dead and the living.

Spiritual Hierarchy and Tauren Titles

Spoiler:

The tauren possess a structure of spiritual hierarchy. The most talented and powerful shaman traditionally
hold positions of power, though rulership is not limited to spellcasters. Shaman interpret the voice of the
Earth Mother and the wishes of the ancestors; sometimes these interpretations lead to the rise of hunters and warriors in the tribe. Such is the case with Cairne Bloodhoof, the current chieftain. The leader of a tribe uses the title “chief” and/or “chieftain.” The three most powerful healers in the tribe support the chief, the most powerful of whom takes the title “seer.” A chief generally consults his seer and her two contemporaries before making a decision, but this consultation is not required.

The leader of the United Tauren Tribes — Cairne Bloodhoof, these days — also uses the title “chieftain.” During council meetings, chiefs make recommendations to the chieftain, but again the final decision is the
chieftain's alone to make. “Chief,” “chieftain” and “seer” are genderless titles. Aged female shaman sometimes take the title of “crone” or “elder crone,” which others use as a sign of respect.

• Societal Overview •

For the most part, tauren possess a unified culture, even if they're split up into seperate tribes. Some folks see tauren as big, dumb, lumbering beasts, but they're really one of the most intelligent races out there. Tauren don't live primitive lives because they're too stupid to build big stone cities. They choose to live the way they do because they thought it over and it makes sense to them.

Life With the Tauren

Spoiler:

Tauren believe that all life is, and nature is sacred. In a way they think that nature is alive, so it falls under the philosophy of all life being sacred. To the tauren, “life” does not mean breathing and bleeding, but when a tauren says life is sacred, he's talking about a kind of spiritual energy that permeates the natural world. The Earth Mother represents that big spirit, and little spirits all inabit rocks, trees, and the like. That's why the tauren don't like mining and deforestation; it disrupts all those spirits, and disrupts the Earth Mother. They try to live while making as little impact on the world as they can. For example, they respect the animals they hunt by never hunting more than they need and by using every bit of the animal they can.

Elders and Family

Spoiler:

Tauren hold great respect for their elders. An old tauren expression goes, “It takes a lifetime to make all the mistakes in the world, but only an hour to sit at a grandfather's knee.” Basically tauren think that it's smarter to learn from your elders than to blunder around and muck things up yourself. The young ones always find ways to make theor own mistakes, of course, no matter how carefully they listen. Tauren tribes always take care of the elderly. Even if all your relatives are dead, or you never had any to begin with, elders always get fed and housed first. In lean months, adults go hungry while the aged and the young eat first. This might seem backward to some, as the adults are the ones who hunt and protect the tribe, but tauren have always lived like this and will likely do so until the end of time.

Tauren's respect for elders is a facet of their larger cultural belief, the importance of family. Tauren don't believe in small family units; tauren children are the responsibility of all the members of the tribe. If someone needs help, it doesn't fall to his closest relatives to help him. Every member of the tribe is “related” where responsibilities are concerned. It's a nice idea, and works great in small tauren tribes. I wasn't sure it would work in bigger settlements, but Thunder Bluff has the feel of being one big family.

• Tauren Paths •

The Hunter

Spoiler:

Hunting, of course, is a big deal in tauren culture. Hunting is how the tauren live; in past years, they were an entirely nomadic culture. Tauren would wander Kalimdor, following kodo herbs and relying on the land to sustain them. Hunting is therefor almost sacred to tauren. It's a mark of pride –– and adulthood –– when a tauren child goes on his first hunt. Hunting doesn't just mean you're big enough to hold a spear, now. It shows that your elders believe you are wise enough to appreciate the sacrifice the animal makes for you, and mature enough to honor that sacrifice. Children who go hunting learn how to bring prey down but also learn how to treat the carcass after you've bagged it.

Tauren don't let their prey just rot in the dirt. Hunters must offer appropriate prayers to it's spirit and skin the beast with the proper rituals. Some involve herbs and shaman intervention. It's a complicated practice that requires many years of study. As such, for all these reasons, Hunters are highly respected in the tauren tribes.

The Shaman and Druid

Spoiler:

Shaman teach the hunters the right rituals because shaman connect the tauren to the Earth Mother. Shaman deal with animal spirits and the elements. They're the ones who hear voices on the wind and interpret signs and portents. Tauren look to their shaman for spiritual guidance and education, so shaman (particularly old shaman) are considered the most powerful and important members of a tribe. Tauren can't just decide to be shaman, mind you. It's a calling. A tauren who has dreams about the past and hears spirits talk to her could be destined to be a shaman. A nascent shaman learns the history and legends of the tribe –– and the tauren people –– by heart.

She has to visit sacred sites of Kalimdor, go on vision quests, and learn about all the different types of herbs and plants shaman use in their rituals. Most young shaman study for years, though some particularly fast learners seem born with the gift. These fast learners might become true shaman in less than a year. Once a tauren becomes a shaman, she usually stays on to assist her tribe. Some feel called to wander, though, and take year-long (or longer) sabbaticals where they walk the length of Kalimdor, learning all they can about the land. Some also feel called to leave their tribes and form new ones, particularly if game in the area grows thin.

Druids are considered just as important as the shamans in tauren society, ancient members of an ancient sect recently brought back to their attention. Though they don't commune with the spirits on the same level a shaman does, their path is a noble one, and many still look to them for health.

Warriors

Spoiler:

Until recent times, the tauren had no true purpose for warriors, aside from beating back the Centaur. And those that did this, did not take it as a full time job; They were, in fact, more often than not hunters of the tribe. However, some did begin taking forms of payment for their services, and taking the tauren totems as their weapons. With the coming of the orcs, many tauren have taken their massive strength to the battlefield, taking the warrior path of the orcs as a serious commitment. Going to war seems to go against everything the Earth Mother asks, so Pathbreakers, heavily influenced by their new allies, are the most likely to become warriors.

Sources:
Wowwiki
Horde Player's Guide
RPG Book Download

[Bovel]

I simply have one question; Source? My personal preference is that you make it clear what is speculation, what is from PnP RPG and what is actual game and books.

[Jeff]

This all sounds really dubious. No doubt there is a spirit journey. Almost all shamanistic cultures had them (from Hungary through Siberia, all the way to the Americas), but WoW already has a quest representing the spirit journey. Tauren have several rites, you can see in quests, already established. This is similar to the rite of vision, but yet differant at the same time.

http://www.wowpedia.org/Quest:Rite_of_Vision

It does not mention a connection with a spirit-animal, and from art-work, and in-game experiance it seems it's always a wolf that guides you, and leaves you with: "At that point, it is up to you to follow it to your destiny...." This is in relation to when the spirit materializes before you.

There are other rites represented in-game for traditional cultural norms.

A few key things to note, now. Shamanism (Tauren included) isn't about finding animals to represent you so much. It's about being close and in favor with the elements. Tauren shamanism leans more towards the Earthmother, however, and specifically states so in the Horde Guide (I do not know if it's out-dated lore, but no new lore states totem-spirits being a key element of Tauren maturity).

Aside from religion, Tauren have a rich culture and standing on issues. Traditionally, Tauren do not speak unless with meaning or with those they are very close with. They rather take up action than words.

Hunting is a very important cultural element to Tauren; Tauren hunters are some of the most silent and swift hunters in Azeroth, believe it or not. All Tauren, shaman or not, view themselves as children of the Earthmother, and seek to connect with her in what ways they can. Even the young will kill animals, but use every part of them to set themselves out, and prepare themselves for a cultural event known as "The Great Hunt."

Tauren, though humble, are not necessarily overly pacifistic, and when they're driven to fight... well a Tauren doesn't need armor for a reason. This does not mean they seek war. In fact, they'll do all they can to prevent Dwarven mining sites short of war. War on defensive terms or honor to a pact seems more of their style (Grimtotem seem to be an exception though, but they're radicals to even Tauren).

[Beltharean]

Source:
Horde Player's Guide

As I said, the rest is speculation.

As for it only being a wolf, I can only quote the vision quest text in reply.

At the apex of the vision quest, a spirit animal comes to the seeker. The animal represents the seeker's spirit; fierce warriors may see a bear, while timid herbalists may see a rabbit.

As far as rest of your post is concerned, the next three 'Coming Soon' posts are for additional information on Tauren such as legends, holidays, customs, and other general information.

[ToxinDoctor]

Interesting and informative! I found it to be quite a good read! Thanks for putting this up.

[psyhcopig]

*Like*

[Beltharean]

Updated the guide with Tauren holidays, and what they consist of.

[Beltharean]

And, fin!

I'd like to request this be moved to article guides, and if that's not possible, then what I could do to make it guide-section-worthy.

[c0rzilla]

I vote for moving it to the guides section as well.

[Beltharean]

*High five*

[Hawk]

Late, but movin'!

[Beltharean]

Thank'ee, monsieur Hawk.